Mind Doodles

Looking Ahead to Christmas

I know!  I know!  It's not even Halloween yet!  

But, I really wanted to give you a heads up.

Years ago, I discovered a wonderful read-aloud book for the Christmas season.  At the time, I picked it up off a clearance rack.  Since then, it has been out of print and now is back in print.  The name of the book is Jotham's Journey.  You may have heard me talk about this before, but it is worth repeating.  

This is a great story for families to read together.  It is an adventure story, so some parts get a little exciting.  The story follows ten-year-old, Jotham, across Israel as he searches for his family.  Though he faces thieves, robbers and kidnappers, Jotham also encounters the wise men, shepherds and innkeepers until he at last find his way to the Savior--born in Bethlehem.

Jotham's Journey is divided into short chapters for each day of Advent, giving families an opportunity to create a seasonal tradition of storytelling in their home.  The author, Arnold Ytreeide, the founder of Storyteller Productions,  is a storyteller who cares deeply about spiritual growth in families. 

Our girls loved this book.  We read it to them when they were 6 and 8.  The next year, we found the second book in the series, Bartholomew's Passage to read.  And the following year, Tabitha's Travels, the final book in the series was available. Even now, at 17 and 19, they would still enjoy reading it together as a family!  Honest!  I have recommended this book to many friends over the years and they have all considered it a great addition to their family traditions.

So, get ahead of the game and order it from Amazon.  You will need to start it at the beginning of the Advent season, which begins this year on November 29. That's just around the corner!

Happy Reading!

Some Music Recommendations

Last week was KidSpace.  I hope you got to be there.  

Afterward, I am always asked about the music that we use.  So, I have listed some recommendations below. Some are available from ITunes, some online.  We even have a couple of these CDs for sale at the Kids Welcome Center.  

Hillsong Kids Tell the World (available on ITunes)

    My Number One (KidSpace song)

    Tell the World (KidSpace song)

Hillsong Kids Super Strong God (available on ITunes)

    Jesus in My Life (KidSpace and Kidspointe song)

    Radio (New song we will introduce at next KidSpace)

Live It Out (available at Rethinkgroup.org)

    Live it Out (Kidspointe song)

    Celebrate Medley (KidSpace song)

    Happy Day (KidSpace and Kidspointe song)

    Feelin' so Fly (KidSpace song)

    We Won't Be Quiet (Kidpointe and KidSpace song)

Jana Alyra Dig Deep (available at Janaalyra.com)

Jana Alyra Jump Into the Light (available at Janaalyra.com)

    Both of these CDs have a lot of songs that are used in Kidspointe South

Hope this is helpful to you.  Music is a huge part of our Sunday morning experience in Children's Ministry. A great way to bridge what happens on Sunday mornings with conversations in your home is to use some of these songs as a family. The kids love them.  I think you will find that you do as well.

    

MIA

Sorry.  I've been missing in action lately.  I've been thinking a little bit about why that is so. . . .

As pitiful as it sounds, I think it took so much of my energy (physical and emotional) to get Kelsey ready and off to college that I just kind of shut down a little afterward.  Blogging about our lives, parenting issues, etc. . .just seemed more than I could handle.

But. . .I think I'm back.  I've got some things that I want to share over the next few days.

I've written it down, so now I'm committed.